WWFM Host David Osenberg Receives Honor From National Composers

WWFM Host David Osenberg Receives Honor From National Composers Organization

11/14/14

WEST WINDSOR – When you’re in the music business and receive an award on the same stage as Stephen Sondheim, you know you must be doing something right.

David Osenberg, on-air personality and music director for WWFM The Classical Network on the campus of Mercer County Community College (MCCC), was the recipient of the prestigious Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Radio Broadcast Award during a ceremony Nov. 12 in New York City. This is the 46th year for the award, presented by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) in memory of composers and long-time ASCAP advocates Deems Taylor and Virgil Thomson.

Osenberg received the award for his work as host of the WWFM program “Cadenza,” which airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 a.m. on The Classical Network. The television counterpart of Osenberg’s award was presented to Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim and the director and producers of the HBO documentary “Six by Sondheim,” an in-depth look at the composer’s work.

ASCAP Awards

WWFM host David Osenberg, left, received a prestigious radio broadcast award Nov. 12 from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). Also picture is MCCC President Patricia Donohue, WWFM Development Director Diane Guvenis (holding a special ASCAP award for WWFM), and WWFM General Manager Peter Fretwell.

“This award confirms what many of our donors already knew – The Classical Network and its hosts are among the best,” said WWFM General Manager Peter Fretwell. “This award goes not only to David and the staff, but to all our supporters who have kept The Classical Network vibrant for more than three decades.”

Osenberg is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he majored in Music Composition, and has studied composition in Germany and England. He served as an instructor at the University of Delaware, and in addition to his duties as an on-air personality at WWFM, continues to compose, conduct, perform, and teach.

In 2004 Osenberg joined the WWFM staff on a part-time basis, and became a full-time employee in 2007. He served as Development Director from 2008 to 2010, and since 2011 has served as Music Director and Partnership Manager. The first broadcast of “Cadenza” aired in November of 2006.

“When ‘Cadenza’ began more than nine years ago, it was my vision to not only have a program that would let a listener find out information about my guest’s latest release or upcoming concert, but the interview would let my guests tell more about themselves and show their stuff – their ‘cadenza,’ as it were,” Osenberg said.

Since that first show, more than 400 “Cadenza” programs have aired, featuring nearly 500 recorded interviews that have including many internationally-renowned musicians and ensembles.

Over the years, Osenberg has earned the respect of guests that include stalwarts in the world of classical music, and that respect has extended to listeners and colleagues alike, according to WWFM Program Director Alice Weiss.

“My colleague, David Osenberg, is to be congratulated for his specialty series “Cadenza” – his passion for each program makes the overall series unique among classical music programs on the radio today,” Weiss said.

Located on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus, WWFM is New Jersey’s only 24-hour classical music station. The station can be heard at 89.1 FM throughout Central New Jersey, in Philadelphia on 89.5 HD2, in New York on 89.9 HD2, and worldwide via www.wwfm.org.

WWFM Website

Return to Current News

MCCC Home Page